"The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved new rules Thursday to help protect the electricity system during severe winter weather, but grid experts said more action is needed to prevent deadly power outages like those that occurred during Winter Storm Uri.

Proposed by the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC), the new reliability standards come two years after the February 2021 storm caused millions of people in Texas to lose power in below-freezing temperatures. More than 200 people died, some from freezing in their homes.

Under the new rules, which FERC approved in a unanimous decision, U.S. generation owners will need to protect power plants from freezing and develop enhanced cold weather preparedness plans, among other measures."

Miranda Willson reports for E&E News February 17, 2023. [2]